In the article, Campbell points out that one of Altes' ex-wives went to the police with allegations of abuse, with Altes eventually being charged with third degree domestic battery in 2006. The couple separated later that year.

The article also details missed child support payments of $100 per month for children Altes had with the same woman, with Altes' ex-wife eventually filing a motion for contempt in August 2007.

In addition to the allegations of domestic battery and failure to pay child support, Campbell's article also included a March 7, 2006, report from the Sebastian County Sheriff's Department that detailed an alleged aggravated assault at the hands of Altes.

The incident report from the Sheriff's Department alleged that Altes pulled a .357 revolver on Jerry Clardy, a former employee, when the man came to Altes' office to pick up his last paycheck.

"Mr. Clardy stated that when he asked Mr. Altes for his paperwork and his payroll information that was visible on Mr. Altes' desk, he then reached for the payroll information and told Mr. Altes that he would give the paperwork to his last supervisor, Bill," the report read. "At this point Mr. Altes pulled a .357 Magnum (revolver) and point it at him while telling him to get away from his desk and Mr. Clardy immediately dropped the paperwork and walked away while Mr. Altes had the handgun pointed at him."

In the report, an officer with the Sheriff's Department reported that when reached for comment, Altes did not deny the incident.

"Mr. Altus stated that because of Mr. Clardy's size he (Robert Altus) was afraid for his safety," the report read. "Mr. Altus stated that he then reached into his desk and took out a .357 revolver and placed it on the desk and told Mr. Clardy to leave. Mr. Altus stated that Mr. Clardy then returned the checks and left the building."

Campbell's article also stated that a second woman with whom Altes allegedly fathered a child filed a petition for failure to pay child support in September 2011.

Perhaps most damaging of all were allegations that Altes impregnated another woman who he was married to and drove her to a Tulsa, Okla., abortion clinic where the pregnancy was terminated.

A document linked to the article appears to show a receipt for an abortion, with the woman's maiden name listed on the receipt.

Multiple attempts to contact Altes and his father on their cell phones were unsuccessful, as were calls to Altes Sanitation Service, with a female who answered the phone stating that both men would be out of the office for the rest of Wednesday.

Sebastian County Republican Party Chairman Rex Terry released a statement and said he was assured by Altes before he announced his run for state representative that "nothing in his past conduct" would be a problem.

"I was disappointed and sorry to learn about the disclosures regarding Bobby Altes, a Republican candidate for House District 76. It is of particular concern to me since when I spoke with him months ago about the possibility of running for office, he assured me there was nothing in his past conduct that if disclosed, would reflect poorly on himself, the people of the district, or the Republican party. That appears not to be the case," Terry noted. "Leadership descends from character. Personal character is, for me, the most important attribute of anyone who seeks election to political office. The public has a right to know the truth about their candidates, and we should all be thankful for a free press when it exercises its constitutional duty of reporting facts that are of vital importance to an informed electorate."

Advertisement:

Mat Pitsch, Altes' opponent in the District 76 Republican primary, did release a statement to The City Wire in which he called the allegations against Altes "a sad story on many fronts."

Early voting for the Republican primary has already begun. The primary will take place May 20. With no Democratic challenger, the winner of the District 76 race will become the district's next state representative.

I had my concerns...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/07/2014 - 9:45pm.

When I saw daddy's sign's being used to run for the sun. Classic case of misdirection if I ever saw it. Shame on the Altes family for trying that deception, and then trying to hide all of this. I bet you won't see hide nor hair of Altes until after the primary. Besides, all Altes' little flyer that I got spouted the same pandering comments to the right wing base, with no focus on expanding or improving the economic issues around Fort Smith. Pitsch, has at least stated that is his number one priority.

Vote Bobby Altes State Rep District 76

There may be allegations about Bobby Altes. I have met and talked to Bobby Altes and I still think he has a lot to offer his district and Fort Smith. Bobby Altes is born and raised in Fort Smith, he has private sector work experience and an accounting degree from the UofA. I do believe Bobby Altes would be fiscal responsible with the taxpayers money. His opponent has a non-profit job with RITA, (Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority) and the latest yearend budget report I could get from him was for the year 2012 and the only revenue RITA had that year was $50,000, taken from the hardworking taxpayers of Fort Smith. In 2012, he apparently had a annual salary package of approximately $132,000 and now wants to add additional taxpayer money to his income, as a State Representative. Personally, I'm fed up with special non-profits and special interest groups taking opportunities away from the taxpayers. Character is proven every day. There are the elitists who forget the average, hardworking taxpayers they supposedly serve, while enriching themselves and their friends. That is but another example of lack of character and poor leadership. So, he who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.

There may be allegations about Bobby Altes. I have met and talked to Bobby Altes and I still think he has a lot to offer his district and Fort Smith. Bobby Altes is born and raised in Fort Smith, he has private sector work experience and an accounting degree from the UofA. I do believe Bobby Altes would be fiscal responsible with the taxpayers money. His opponent has a non-profit job with RITA, (Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority) and the latest yearend budget report I could get from him was for the year 2012 and the only revenue RITA had that year was $50,000, taken from the hardworking taxpayers of Fort Smith. In 2012, he apparently had a annual ...>> Read the entire comment.

Altes Is Best Choice

Submitted by anonymoUS (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 7:15am.

Something stinks in the ball field deal between Pitsch and Gosack. The property will be deeded back to the city after completion of the ball fields so no property taxes will be due and Pitsch will get all the profits from concessions. Just another example of the good ole boys milking the cow.

Allegations?

Blue Hog Report and The City Wire didn't report allegations. Nearly every word in the article is backed up by the corresponding public record. Kudos to The City Wire for providing fact-based information on this race. I don't want a wife-beater who won't pay child support timely and pulls a gun on a subordinate to represent Fort Smith in Little Rock. Good grief, what would that say about us?

Now you've got me thinking about Nancy Pelosi

Intermodal basically means trailers with removable wheels. They take the wheels off at the shipyard in Asia then stack them so high the ships looks like they will tip over. Then they go on the trains and head out all over the nation. How can we really need someone in charge and making $132k in an area where they put just a few of the wheels back on? Why does it seem so much like Arkansas here when we look for jobs but to these appointee types it's far far better than Washington DC considering costs? Are we getting squeezed so much we're about to pop?

Oversimplified rhetoric

Submitted by GlennOpal (not verified) on Sun, 05/11/2014 - 9:28pm.

Way to break down intermodal processes for the people G4 in super duper simple terms. I like how you gave visuals with the boat and all that. Speaking of boats, did you know that the river that runs right next to Ft Smith might also play a part in your transportation systems model. How would the great nation of Asia...ahem...get them to Fort Smith? Why did you leave that out? Didn't fit so well into the slanted narrative I bet. I guess that's the danger of trying to describe something complex using a Cracker Barrel mentality.

In the Navy...

Oh boy would you get into trouble calling them boats. Geez! Great nation of......Asia? Perhaps since you applied most of your effort towards character assassination rather than facts, it threw you way off.
Here's some ideas..I think it's a great idea to pay Pitsch $132,000 taxpayer dollars yearly at this point to be an intermodal representative because...It would be even better if he drew more money from the state tax coffers too because...
What's next for him, a good job in the city? Perhaps in addition to term limits, we also need job limits.

Sad Story On Many Fronts

Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 7:50am.

is so true on the Pitsch involvement in the ball field scheme that could provide a huge concession income and no property taxes. Taxpayers lose again and not represented by a representative and Ray could be up to his ears again in this little plan to provide a bud with a nice income without the burden of property tax or insurance costs.

Ignorant reply

For a rational and profitable discussion to occur, you have to avoid making stuff up. Get your facts straight please or do not participate.

That's all folks!

Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 8:40am.

as I read this, I pictured a character in a Warner Brothers cartoon on a boat with a hole in it. As the boat sank, the character spoke faster and faster, louder and louder, and in an increasingly higher pitch (no pun intended). But your comment forgot the last three sentences. blurb. blurb. blurb.

A new low for Jack

So Jack, you would support an abortion paying, wife abusing, child support scofflaw over a person such as Mat Pitsch who is a graduate engineer with advanced degrees who has run manufacturing plants, served as a dean of the college, is presently engaged in a business startup and is endeavoring to deepen the Arkansas River channel in order to allow more barge traffic and thus increase economic development? Really? Jack it just speaks volumes about you.

The Regular Low For The Observer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/12/2014 - 2:48pm.

Blah, Blah, Blah is the message from the Observer who has proven with past support of the crony establishment that there is no creditable message. Jack is a numbers guys that prints factual numbers that enable people to judge the real growth of communities and Observer appears to be a hack who supports more big wasteful government run by his cronies. The fact is that every blog from the Observer supports more spending of someone else's money and has no solutions to solve the problems with the Fort Smith economy. My bet is that the hand is in the mailbox every month in anticipation of a government check courtesy of the taxpayers. Still laughing at another poor attempt by the Observer to discredit Jack.

The multi-talented one..

Submitted by Observial (not verified) on Tue, 05/13/2014 - 9:37am.

Food for thought. Somebody has indicted under Altes on the BHR as to just how easy it would be to contact Matt Campbell with any info. Hmmm. Are we sure our own resident city political manipulators aren't behind all this since they would naturally favor (think auditorium and mega downtown projects) the free spending Pitsch?

The Spin

Personally I'm fed up with

Submitted by MCHero (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 9:09am.

Personally I'm fed up with liars, bullies, and deadbeat parents, especially those that want to *represent* my district/city! The Altes ship has sailed, perhaps you should try to meet with Mat and discuss what he has to offer.

WOW

That is just an incredibly amazing response, Mr. Swink. It speaks volumes about your own credibility. Thank you for letting us know where you stand.

Character shortcomings

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 10:46am.

There comes a time in which a single issue voter such as yourself, jack, needs to step away from the keyboard and take a long hard look at the man you support. While he may give lip service to the things you like his actions speak of someone entirely different. A man who flaunts the rule of law, neglects his responsibilities to his own children, is more than willing to force a woman to undergo a procedure. His performance at the only debate I know he participated was subpar at best. He demonstrated extremely vague knowledge of government and governance not to mention actual real concrete policy proposals. The fact that he treats people in the ways the legal system has documented is deplorable. Certainly makes the choice even easier to not support such a person.

Two Poor Choices

We have two poor choices for this position. While Altes apparently has black marks on his character, he is a better choice than his opponent. I also am tired of these gubbamint workers taking jobs that apparently don't occupy them full time. Allowing them the time, on taxpayer money, to go out a seek another gubbamint job smells like double dipping. 132K for what he does now is an insult to the taxpayer.
Altes will be rooted out fairly easily later on but Pitsch being an experienced bureaucrat may burrow himself into the fabric of the bureaucracy thereby making it difficult to excise him from the position.
Hold your nose and go with Altes at least his background is open and clear to us.

We have two poor choices for this position. While Altes apparently has black marks on his character, he is a better choice than his opponent. I also am tired of these gubbamint workers taking jobs that apparently don't occupy them full time. Allowing them the time, on taxpayer money, to go out a seek another gubbamint job smells like double dipping. 132K for what he does now is an insult to the taxpayer.
Altes will be rooted out fairly easily later on but Pitsch being an experienced bureaucrat may burrow himself into the fabric of the bureaucracy thereby making it difficult to excise him from the position.
Hold your nose and go with Altes at least his background ...>> Read the entire comment.

Trying to understand...

Submitted by Tristan (not verified) on Sun, 05/11/2014 - 9:15pm.

So what your saying is that in spite of Altes's criminal history, and inability to sort immorality from reality, you still think he has a lot to offer? Way to be player! The worst thing you can say about his opponent is that he works in a non-profit agency designed to increase local revenue through improved infrastructure? Scandalous! Can you tell me how Bobby Altes can be against abortion in his platform and on his website, but an avid customer of the service when it suits him? Probably not too hard when your the pants-on-fire guy. I am not judging someone, I am choosing my representative.

Disgusting...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 7:24am.

You need to move on Jack Swink. Whether you are a Liberal or Conservative, Altes' behavior is disgusting. For you to even try to put a positive spin on this shows me all I need to know about you. Fort Smith has had too much Altes family for too many years. It was bad enough that the unexperienced son was trying to keep the family dynasty of inefficiency going. Fort Smith can do better.

Matt Pitsch

Submitted by Seriously? (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 8:03am.

So this is how you want to get elected?
Bobby Altes may have committed all of this allegations and more. No doubt that if they are true, its very sad. However, this smells of dirty politics and perfectly timed during early voting.
Congratulations Mr. Pitsch. You now have a shot at winning. But its a hollow one. Did you want to win by being the lesser of two evils (debatable) or on your merits. I guess you and your camp made your decision.
Look in the mirror and make sure you are free of sin yourself.

Bobby Altes for State REp.

Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 11:32am.

I have known Bobby a short time, but I find it hard to believe that someone actually posted this venom about him. Some of the statements in this article are not backed up by facts, instead it is based on ex's who are out to destroy Bobby's run at political office. We need a person in office who will cut taxes and bring jobs to Fort Smith and I feel that Bobby is the right person for the job.

Altes is Best Choice

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 11:38am.

Do your research people. This is clearly a low blow and if you actually look into all the documentation submitted and research it further, you would see that none of the charges stuck, they were all dropped. I find it disgusting all the people who sit here and read this and make judgment on someone based on a horrible story written about them in the press. Bobby is an excellent man and father and he has never skipped out on child support for any of his children. It is due process during a divorce or in custody hearings to address child support but he has never once neglected his obligations to his children. And if he is the monster these stories make him out to be, how come his ex wife is supporting him in his campaign and how come he has his children all the time if he is this "dead beat" dad. Look into these stories further and while your at it look up the women involved in these cases and you will see, that there is ALOT more to this story than this little glimpse you are being shown. And in many of these cases the women involved have nice criminal records themselves. Who are we to tear this man and his character down because of story posted on BLOGS and to take it as the whole truth and testament for Bobby's character? Put yourself in the shoes of this man and how it would feel to have a story written about you and smear your very existence. It's not right and you need to get both sides of the story before casting such harsh and critical judgments on this man.

Criminal Record

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 6:26pm.

If all his ex wives have criminal records as you claim, that doesn't speak very highly of Bobby if thats the crowd he runs with. Perhaps he doesn't have a record cause of the threats and influence his daddy likes to throw around. Remember when Bobby didn't want to pay unemployment on someone he canned? He couldn't follow the directions Workforce services sends out so instead he sent daddy down to the appellate court to throw some threats around and get jr some preferential treatment. You know who else got unemployment benefits no questions asked? maybe an employee who dropped the gun charges. The Altes clan has proven themselves to be thugs time and again and its about time that we are done with them doing nothing for Fort Smith.

Media

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 11:55am.

How in the world are the "mainstream" journalists not picking up on this in Fort Smith? This is an outrage. The TV stations and newspaper should be ashamed of themselves. Everyday you can pick up the paper and see story after story of people accused of a lot less than this scumbag. This guy should step aside before the election. Kudos to the City Wire for exposing this jerk.

Timing ?

I really have to question the timing that this came out. This appears to me to be a horrible attempt to silence the conservative voice in this race. I read Altes' explanation today and it makes sense to me in today's society that he would fear for his life if he had an angry employee coming in his office and disrupting things. As to his ex-wife, well if you have lived through a divorce then you know that an ex will say or do a lot of crazy things for vengeance!
Altes' father was a solid conservative voice and I think some liberals are afraid that real conservatives vote to return the money and power to the people. Don't let them succeed.

Ft Smith Conservative

Hypocracy is evident here!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 3:33pm.

Jack has time after time stated that we needed to do more with the economy and make Fort Smith more like a. Jonesboro, b. Fayetteville, c. Little Rock, and when you have a candidate that has as his CENTRAL PLATFORM trying to regionalize and promote the economy here, Jack goes back and supports his old buddy who he's been supporting for years over the trash fiasco. AKA supporting his good ole boy network..which he's railed against city hall doing forever. Guess he's just upset that HIS good ole boy network isn't running city hall. Jack is a hypocrite and this post has pretty much made me decide to discount anything he ever says here.

I so like this post

Speaking of hypocracy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 9:49pm.

How many here posting and then often agreeing with themselves tout Pitsch for economic improvement yet they are some of the main ones to pick apart efforts to start a new business in Ft Smith themselves?

Speaking Of Good Ole Boys

Submitted by Hippohypo (not verified) on Mon, 05/12/2014 - 8:22am.

Lets just keep Fort Smith Just the way that it is with no jobs, no opportunity, and lots of college grads that get a great education and then move to a good job market like NW Arkansas or Jonesboro. Lets get the good ole boys to smear candidates that don't play ball with the cronies and lets continue to promote all the things that have failed in the past. Oh well, lets even smear jack that posts economic numbers that prove Fort Smith leadership is not progressive and can't get out of their own way. Will things ever change or will the good ole boys continue to rule the roost?

Altes had his chance

The fact is, Hippo, that Daddy Altes had his chance, for 15 years, to address the very problems you just mentioned. He became part of the problem, not part of the solution, and has failed to provide any progressive leadership whatsoever. You make a great argument for making a change FROM an Altes TO Pitch. This Altes is no different than his Dad. Altes IS part of the good ole boy network. Altes is not progressive in the least, just read his website. All he knows to say is how much he believes in faith and family, and no new taxes. He has no other ideas. Like his Dad, Altes will provide absolutely ZERO leadership in Fort Smith or Little Rock. He will have ZERO influence, just like Daddy Altes, for this area in the legislature. He will be dismissed by his fellow legislators before he even arrives. No one will want to be associated in any way with his poisonous past. If you mean what you say, Hippo, you will support a progressive leader with legitimate ideas for producing economic growth, a man who has been working for years to make Fort Smith a progressive city with economic opportunities. What has son Altes done? Well, his website says he had to come in and save Daddy Altes' businesses from failure. Why don't you try to find out about Mr. Pitch, instead of just assuming he is a one of the cronies without any information to back up your assumption. Talk to him, find out what he really thinks. If you would really get to know Mr. Pitch, you would, like most intelligent people, come to the conclusion he is the only choice in this election.

The fact is, Hippo, that Daddy Altes had his chance, for 15 years, to address the very problems you just mentioned. He became part of the problem, not part of the solution, and has failed to provide any progressive leadership whatsoever. You make a great argument for making a change FROM an Altes TO Pitch. This Altes is no different than his Dad. Altes IS part of the good ole boy network. Altes is not progressive in the least, just read his website. All he knows to say is how much he believes in faith and family, and no new taxes. He has no other ideas. Like his Dad, Altes will provide absolutely ZERO leadership in Fort Smith or Little Rock. He will have ...>> Read the entire comment.

Sounds Good To Me 1iron

Submitted by Hippohypo (not verified) on Tue, 05/13/2014 - 8:48am.

But Altes says he believes in "Faith, family, and NO NEW TAXES and that sounds good to me. Faith is very important, family is very important, and the poor economy can't stand any new taxes so what do you suggest? Are you saying that your "PITCH" guy does not believe in faith, family, and wants to increase taxes on everybody?

Hasn't failed yet..

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/12/2014 - 10:16pm.

What I don't know is if Altes did anything at all serious involving females since there are no charges or convictions whatsoever. I feel I have about the same amount of facts with his opponent. What I do know is some of the biggest game players on TCW (who do know about him) are pushing noticeably hard for local bureaucrat Matt Pitsch and probably there's a reason very different than anything they will ever say here. Maybe they think he would be more apt to shovel some money their way. Makes it easy for me.

Pitsch may win...

Submitted by Really? (not verified) on Tue, 05/13/2014 - 10:05am.

but he will never have the respect he so desperately covets. Having to stoop so low as to discredit your opponent in order to win is shameful. Win on your own merits not by being the lesser of 2 evils. I would rather vote for a candidate and not against another.
Pitsch, not sure what happened to you that winning at all costs is acceptable. You say you are a man of God, yet you do not behave as one. Seems like both candidates are liars, right? I just hope that I see the headline "Altes defeats Pitsch Again".